So bad they’re good

The ‘Green Limousine’ will roll into Geelong next Saturday when veteran Aussie soul band the Badloves plays the Sphinx Hotel.
The band’s line up had changed slightly since their 1993 hit single but they’ve still got the same soulful sound, said new drummer Jeff Consi.
“They make beautifully crafted songs,” he told the Indy this week.
“It’s a lot easier to play when you love the music.”
Consi has played for 18 months with the Aria award winning Badloves who have been busy recording their first original album in a decade.
“I’m quite excited about it,” he said.
“I think the songs are fantastic and we can’t wait to put them out.”
Consi hinted the band might even perform a new song or two at the Sphinx.
“But don’t hold me to that,” he said.
Consi first came to Australia in 1999 as the drummer for legendary guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, who was then married to the Baby Animals’ Australian lead singer Suze DeMarchi.
The New Yorker fell in love with Australia in more ways than one, moving here permanently in 2002.
“At the time I was married to an Australia woman,” he said.
“There are so many beautiful things to see and places to go. I love the coffee and it’s a beautiful lifestyle – it took me a couple of years to slow down.”
Consi has since had three Australian children and played in Brian Maddox’s band Absolutely 80z.
He would go on to perform with original Badloves keyboard player Tony Featherstone, who introduced him to the band.
“They were putting the band together and getting back on the road,” he said.
“Tony thought I’d be a really good fit.”
Consi joined original guitarist and singer Michael Spiby and bass player Stephen O’Prey, along with the Badlove’s newest addition, keyboard player Adam Rigley.
Next weekend will be his first gig in Geelong with the Badloves, although he has played in the city with other bands.
“It’s always been great there,” he said.
“I haven’t actually played at Sphinx, though, so that should be interesting.”